Author:
Gruce Barrioch, Canadian Press
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Date Posted: 10:57:03 12/02/05 Fri
The sub-title to the 2007 GWHL Draft could be "The rich get richer", as several of the teams that participated in the recently completed GWHL playoffs also find themselves drafting early and often in this deep draft. Of course, the opposite lesson to be learned by the non-playoff clubs is that they should really hold on to those first round picks, or at least make other teams pay dearly for them. But I digress.
The big winner at the draft table should be the Edmonton Eagles, as they hold three of the top eight selections in the draft. The league champs from Halifax also possess three of the top ten selections, with Ottawa holding three first rounders, as well. Victoria holds two picks, including the first pick overall, with Winnipeg, Yellowknife and Quebec also sporting a pair of picks. Eight clubs will not take part in the draft's first round.
In a league where offense is king, it is expected that most of the players taken towards the top end of the draft will be the most offensively gifted ones. Players such as Eric Staal, Nikolai Zherdev and Thomas Vanek should have their names called early on, with Staal the seeming front-runner to go first overall. Also, while there are some extremely talented defensemen in this draft, it would not be surprising to see most of them chosen outside of the top ten. Goaltending is not the strength of this draft, although there are some intriguing prospects available at that position.
Below is this writer's prognostication of how the first round of the 2007 GWHL Draft could go. Mock drafts rarely end up being even remotely accurate, but it is always fun to guess. The drafting team's name comes first, while the original holder of the pick is abbreviated and in parentheses.
1. Victoria (TOR) - Eric Staal, Center
While the Totems have a solid group of centers, it would be tough to pass up a talent like Staal. He should step in soon and make one of the older centers expendable.
2. Edmonton (STE) - Patrice Bergeron, Center
The Eagles could use a talented center in the system, so Bergeron should fill that need.
3. Edmonton (WHI) - Nikolai Zherdev, Right Wing
He could be chosen second overall, but regardless, the Eagles should be pleased to add this speedy and talented Russian to their growing stable of prospects.
4. Halifax (YEL) - Nathan Horton, Center
Harpoons GM Stephen Holodinsky like centers with some size, skill and a bit of a mean streak, so Horton should fit the bill.
5. Ottawa (CHR) - Thomas Vanek, Left Wing
The Oaks have several solid young prospects, but they could use a sniper like Vanek in the system.
6. Halifax (SAS) - Dion Phaneuf, Defenseman
Though they possess a strong defense, the Harpoons defensive corps are getting a bit long in the tooth. Phaneuf is the best defenseman in this draft, and should be an impact player from the get-go.
7. Winnipeg (MTL) - Jeff Carter, Center
The Wolves could use a talented center with some size in their system, with Carter arguably being the best player available at this point in the draft.
8. Edmonton (CAL) - Mike Richards, Center
More offense for the Eagles with the selecton of Richards, a smallish-but-talented forward who is close to playing in the GWHL.
9. Yellowknife (LON) - Marc-Andre Fleury, Goaltender
The Blades have done a good job of rebuilding on the fly, but they lack a good, young goaltending prospect in their system. Fleury could be a great one in time.
10. Halifax (EDM) - Milan Michalek, Right Wing
While the Harpoons have some solid prospects on the wing, Michalek has the size and power forward potential that could make him irresistable to this club.
11. Winnipeg - Ryan Suter, Defenseman
The Wolves could stand to add some quality depth on defense, so Suter would be a strong pick at this position.
12. Ottawa (BC) - Zach Parise, Center
The Oaks drafted their sniper earlier in the first, so now they need to add Parise to feed Vanek the puck.
13. Ottawa - Fedor Tjutin, Defenseman
The first selection from a group of talented prospects to go back into this draft, Tjutin adds quality depth to the Oaks defensive corps.
14. Quebec – Mike Cammalleri, Center
The Remparts could use a young pivot with some offensive talent, with Cammalleri being the best player available at this position.
15. Victoria – Eric Fehr, Right Wing
There are a handful of wingers available at this point in the draft that could become dangerous scorers in time. Fehr has shown he can score at every level at which he has competed, so he gets the nod at this position.
16. Quebec (HAL) – Brent Seabrooke, Defenseman
With an offensive player in their pocket, the Remparts now select Seabrooke to shore up their defensive depth.
17. Montreal (COMP) – Dustin Brown, Right Wing
There are three or four players that could go in this spot, but the Marauders will give the nod to the talented Brown, a winger with size and skill.
18. Yellowknife (COMP) – Corey Perry, Right Wing
After addressing a need on defense with their first pick, the Blades look to bolster their depth on the wing with the selection of Perry.
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